She was pissed. The problem was that if she got any angrier, Raven risked losing control of her emotions and then all hell would break loose...literally. The young woman found her way out of the party and into one of the many corridors that made up Wayne Manor and went into the first room that was unoccupied. At a quick glance, it appeared to be one of the libraries and the Azerthian girl may have been more interested if it was not for the intense desire to punch Robin in his face.
Raven threw herself into one of the chairs facing the hearth where an electric fire crackled and hugged herself closely cursing under her breath. This was not how any of this was supposed to go. How was it supposed to go? She had no idea, but this could not have been it.
"Raven,"
The girl shot a glare at Robin's form standing in the doorway.
'Damn him and his sleuthing skill.'
"Go away. I'm mad at you, and it's taking everything in my power not to turn your stupid ass face into mush," she growled at him allowing a bit of the red haze to enter her eyes.
"Listen," he ventured as he took one step forward. "I didn't mean to insult you."
"Too late."
"I just don't think that you protecting me is going to be a good idea."
"Why the hell not?"
"Because that's not supposed to be your job. We're supposed to be working as a team."
"No, you don't want me protecting you because you're an arrogant asshole who thinks it's his job to protect everyone else. Well, tough luck," Raven hissed at him through gritted teeth. "I'm not gonna sit down and let some magical creature tear you to ribbons."
"Magical creature?" Robin said surprised.
"Yeah, ya asshat, that's why I was asked to protect you."
"Can you please stop the swearing?"
"Fuck off."
Robin did not know how to take the language and the attitude that was roiling off of his friend. He could feel the darkness seething in her and the anger pouring out into the air about him. He was stressed, and this was not helping. He was not in a familiar environment, and it seemed his adopted father was forcing a dynamic change on him and his friend, one that neither was adapting to well.
"Raven," Robin started after taking a breath and calming his own emotions. His primary concern was feeding the empath's rage.
"The situation we are presented with is dangerous. If there is a magical creature that's bad enough to concern Batman, then I don't know if you will be enough to defend from an attack. If you can't, you can be seriously hurt or worse."
"That's not your call," Raven responded, her voice calm but there was still an edge of anger in it. "Isn't that right, Mister Wayne?"
'Really?' Robin thought to himself darkly and turned to see the man who had mysteriously appeared in one of the corners. He was still wearing his white tuxedo, but his eyes were watching the discussion unfold.
"She's the last line of defense, Dick," Bruce said calmly. "and she's strong. You shouldn't worry yourself about her."
"I'm her leader-" Robin said turning to face his mentor, ready for the argument that was about to come but it didn't. Raven flew out of her chair faster than he anticipated.
"Then start acting like it you stupid, self-righteous son-of-a-bitch," Raven growled. For the first time in his life, he was unsure of her when she fastened a cold, claw of a hand on to his shoulder. The grip was vice-like.
"You are my leader, not my father or husband. You're not supposed to protect me; your job is to lead me. I'm a soldier and soldiers die, it happens," Raven continued not releasing her grip. "and I'm not going to allow you to come to any harm just like you did for each one of us back in Jump City."
She pushed him towards the chair, but he resisted, unwilling to give in to where he was standing but the black shadow tendril of her magic appeared, whipped out around his arm and wrenched him, sending him flying in the seat. She towered over him, beautiful and dangerous. For a second, Robin just wanted to pull her to him and capture her lips with his. She was so cute when she was angry.
"But you are not Robin of the Teen Titans, and this is not Jump City. This is Gotham, and you are Richard Grayson, playboy millionaire who can't see past a pair of tits. That's the role you are going to play."
She stepped back with her hands folded across her chest as she studied him making sure he was paying attention.
"So, this is how it's going to go, Mister Greyson," Robin winced at the removal of what he considered his real name. "You are going to play the part of a playboy billionaire that's going to put Bruce Wayne to shame. You're going to hit on the girls, you're going to drink and party, you're going to pinch my ass, and I'm going to giggle. We are going to make it clear that I'm the girl you are interested at the moment and we're going to be inseparable."
The air began to thin a bit as she relaxed, rather enjoying to be in charge he surmised.
"If that creature Nocturnus comes for you, she's going to have to go through me and trust me, if I do die, half this city is going to be burning when I'm done defending you."
The room was quiet, but when Bruce began to chuckle, the tension melted completely away. Robin could not help but start chuckling himself. A smile slowly crept into Raven's features though she did not laugh.
"So, I'm going to pinch your ass?"
"Yes," she responded, a sparkle of the mischievous imp he had seen back at the tower. "You're gonna get a good hold too but so help me, if you try to feel me up, I'm gonna knee you in the balls."
"Raven, your language," Robin admonished her playfully.
"Get used to it; you aren't in charge. I am, and when I say you grope me, you better as hell do it."
"Well, if I have to make it look good, I might need some practice beforehand?" Robin said with a twerk of his lips and a sly look towards her.
"I think I'll leave you to children now," Bruce said, and the deep red flush on Raven's face told Robin that she had forgotten he was there.
"Just remember these are antiques," Bruce said with a wide grin. "They're not built for any rigorous activities."
Raven's mouth fell open, and her face got even more impossibly hot. She quickly turned away trying to find a way to escape the embarrassment. As soon as the door closed, Robin stood and touched her shoulder. She promptly spun on him.
"I'm sorry," he said quickly. "I didn't mean to imply you were incapable."
"That's how it came out."
"I just hope you understand what my concern was buried in that ill-worded conversation."
"I know, you want me safe. I want you safe too, Robin. I've seen this Nocturnus, and it scares the heck out of me. It wants you, and we don't know why."
"Well, you're my bodyguard," Robin said with a smile he wrapped his arm around her waist though he made sure to rest it on the upper half of her butt. He saw her start and look at him. "Shall we go show everyone my new girlfriend?"
A/N: Thanks for your patience waiting for the next chapter to come out. I actually had to let this conversation brew in my mind for quite a while before I finally wrote it. I think being outside of Jump City and being put in charge by a JLA member has really brought home to Raven how much she is being trusted and that Robin is facing something his staff would not stop.
Raven being in charge is going to be quite fun to write!
